Latvian trainer aircraft prototype
I-14 Type trainer National origin Latvia Manufacturer VEF Status Prototype destroyed Number built one Introduction date 1937 First flight 19 November 1937
The VEF I-14 was a Latvian Air Force trainer aircraft prototype, built by VEF .
Design and development
Kārlis Irbītis began work on the I-14 in 1936 in response to an order placed by the Latvian Air Force for a new trainer aircraft. Taking inspiration from the British Miles aircraft, the I-14 was a low-wing monoplane with fixed, conventional landing gear . The single pilot sat in an enclosed cockpit. It was powered by a 200 hp Menasco B6S Buccaneer .[ 1] [ 2]
Operational history
The I-14 made its maiden flight on 19 November 1937. On 23 April 1938, the aircraft was destroyed in a crash, its pilot, Bandenieks, was unhurt.[ 1] Development of the I-14 was abandoned in favor of the more advanced VEF I-15 .[ 2]
Specifications (I-14)
Data from [ 1] [ 2]
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 7.3 m (23 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 8 m (26 ft 3 in)
Height: 2 m (6 ft 7 in)
Empty weight: 410 kg (904 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 665 kg (1,466 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Menasco B6S Buccaneer air-cooled inline engine , 150 kW (200 hp)
References
Aircraft Designed/Manufactured at the
VEF (Valsts Elektrotehniskā Fabrika) company, Latvia